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This is exactly why you trade Lupul while his value is high. We've got a glut of wingers and I don't expect that guy to be a PPG player next year. If he's on the team opening night obviously I hope he his, hell I hope he's a 100 pt player. But realistically the smart move may be to trade him while he's high in a deal for #1 center. Then you have JVR on the left, Kessel on the right and a 70-90pt centermen(depending who) in the middle. Looks sexy.

This is exactly why you trade Lupul while his value is high. We've got a glut of wingers and I don't expect that guy to be a PPG player next year. If he's on the team opening night obviously I hope he his, hell I hope he's a 100 pt player. But realistically the smart move may be to trade him while he's high in a deal for #1 center. Then you have JVR on the left, Kessel on the right and a 70-90pt centermen(depending who) in the middle. Looks sexy.

The only reason i was not 100% on trading Lupul earlier was because i didn't see who could take his spot. JVR has the talent and now i'm 100% on board with moving Lupul.

Thus the life of a Leafs fan. We sign an injury prone guy that was a plan B to be our first line centre. Then he ends up staying healthier than anyone thought but plays his way on to the 3rd line and as a winger/part time centre. Ahhh... I love my team.. I love my team..

Thus the life of a Leafs fan. We sign an injury prone guy that was a plan B to be our first line centre. Then he ends up staying healthier than anyone thought but plays his way on to the 3rd line and as a winger/part time centre. Ahhh... I love my team.. I love my team..

Connolly wasn't a bad signing. Burke made his pitch for Brad Richards, then turned to plan B when plan A didn't work out. The 2 yr deal was solid, in the case Burke anticapatied Kadri or Colborne would be ready, as connollys deal expired.
Now, the fact Connolly didn't stick on the top line with lups and kessel isn't a shocker. Connolly will be a 4.5 mil 3rd line plug, but I give Burke credit for trying to sign a "solid" centre to play with the top line.
Burke said (on the fan 590 a few weeks ago) kadri has done what has been asked of him. He become stronger, thanks to an invite from GAry Roberts to come work out at his gym, and go through his program. Dallas eakin has helped drastically in kadri's two way game. Burke believe kadri is here to stay this coming season.
Personally I do not believe kadri is here to stay unless it's a top 6 spot. Kadri needs skilled players to blossom.

Not sure why so many people hate on the Connolly signing. He was signed for 2 years, 2 years. He's not stopping us from signing anybody and at least gives some kind of scoring depth down the middle. He wasn't great last season but I wouldn't be shocked to suddenly see him healthy and playing well in a contract year. He was a stopgap a year ago and he's a stopgap now.

The same reason we hate Komisarek. We paid him 4.5 to play on the top 2 pairings and he ends up on the 3rd D pairing and ends up sitting in the press box some nights. We paid Connolly 1st/2nd line money to end up playing on the 3rd line and not even at center half of the time. People are getting sick of these signings not working out. I honestly hope Connolly rebounds because it benefits the team. But right now it is what it is. I would of rather gave a kid a shot on the team then had Connolly playing on the 3rd line and saved around 3.5 million dollars. Hard to argue that. Burke was under the gun to get a 1st line centre. Couldn't get Richards obviously and went for plan B. Sometimes it's best to count your loses and forget plan B. This is one of those cases. 1 year, 2 years, 5 years.. doesn't matter.

And sometimes Tim Connolly plays 70 games in a season, but history shows he will be hurt soon

I feel like I'd rather see Connolly produce closer to a PPG and play less games than what I saw last season. I'd much rather see like 35 points in 40 games or something than the 36 in 70 we saw last year. Even like 20 points in 25 games. I'd just rather see him produce at a high rate than just not produce...

I think he's gonna have a better year though. I would not at all be shocked if he took the number 1 center spot away from Bozak (which he isn't holding on to firmly too).

Nikolai Kulemin to arbitration

If Connolly is our number one center next yr, we are not making the playoffs.

“It’s about winning,” Stoudemire said. “You win, you’re going to get on national TV. Simple. In Phoenix, we won — Western Conference finals three, four years, playoffs every year. We won. If you don’t win, nobody really wants to see you.”

If Connolly is our number one center next yr, we are not making the playoffs.

That's such a blanket answer. Bozak was our 1st line center last year and we weren't even close. Are we even better? At all? If Connolly scores 65 points in 73 games like he did 3 seasons ago, he's the highest scoring centerman in Toronto since Sundin had 78 points in 07-08.

That's such a blanket answer. Bozak was our 1st line center last year and we weren't even close. Are we even better? At all? If Connolly scores 65 points in 73 games like he did 3 seasons ago, he's the highest scoring centerman in Toronto since Sundin had 78 points in 07-08.

If Connolly scored 65 points, we'd make the playoffs.

If Connolly scores 100 points and the goaltending is like last year this team still doesn't make the playoffs...love how Burke builds from the net out...truculence